Yaska’s Nirukta (circa 5th century BCE) stands as the oldest landmark in Vedic exegesis, tackling those knotty, archaic words that pepper the Yajurveda. By tracing roots and offering context, this work unlocked layers of meaning in mantras and ritual instructions that might otherwise feel like inscrutable riddles.

Shortly after, Sabara’s commentary on the Nirukta helped cement Yaska’s insights, weaving in oral traditions and clarifying the technical jargon of sacrificial rites. Sabara’s glosses still serve as an indispensable guide to unsure students of Vedic language.

Fast-forward to the 14th century CE: Sāyaṇa’s magisterial Bhāṣya on both the Śukla (White) and Kṛṣṇa (Black) recensions of the Yajurveda remains the go-to text for scholars and ritualists alike. Packed with ritual notes, cross-references to the Brahmanas and Aranyakas, and comparisons across Vedic schools, it effectively set the standard for later commentators. Modern editions of the Śukla Yajurveda often lean heavily on Sāyaṇa’s readings, a testament to their enduring clarity.

By the 16th century, Māhīdhara brought a more concise, almost handbook-style approach in his Vedārtha-prakāśa and Mantrarāja. Focusing on the Taittirīya Saṃhitā (one of the main Kṛṣṇa branches), he bridged medieval ritual practice with deeper semantic notes, making it easier for temple priests to “hit the ground running,” so to speak.

Moving into early modern times, Govinda Bhaṭṭācārya and Ballāla Cauṭṭupāti expanded on Sāyaṇa and Māhīdhara, adding glosses that addressed local ritual variants—particularly in South India—where certain yajñas took on very region-specific forms. Their work highlights the Yajurveda’s living tradition, adapting over centuries yet rooted in those ancient verses.

Today, as South Asian studies departments worldwide revisit these classics—sometimes even applying digital tools to Sāyaṇa’s Sanskrit—there’s a sense of rediscovering a treasure trove. Each commentator, from Yaska to Ballāla, has left a distinct footprint, helping ritualists and researchers alike dive headfirst into the choreography of Vedic sacrifice.